Mesa County School District 51 provide K-12 public school education for 21,000 students. We are the 14th largest school district in the State of Colorado. Due to the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic District 51 provided in-person learning for approximately 18,000 students and online for approximately 3,000 students. Prior to opening schools in August of 2020 District 51 leadership put together a comprehensive safety plan to allow students and staff the option of in-person instruction or online instruction. The Safety plan included review of Federal CDC guidelines and directives, meetings with Mesa County Public Health, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and with members from the Governor's Office. The comprehensive safety plan included mandatory face coverings, social distancing requirements, disinfectant procedures by teachers between classes and by custodians at the end of the school day, increased air circulation to provide four air exchanges per hour in each building. The Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and Nursing Services Coordinator would meet weekly with Mesa County Public Health Officials to discuss infection rates, quarantine procedures and testing protocols. With this plan in place Mesa County School district 51 was able to begin in-person and online instruction in August of 2020 and complete the school year with in-person graduations in May of 2021.

Responsible Energy & Greenhouse Gas Reduction

• • Renewable energy source - solar array system.

  • Transportation fleet, over 100 buses powered by propane gas.

Waste Minimization & Diversion

• • Increased recycling by 5%.

Water Conservation & Quality

• • 10% reduction in water consumption.

Corporate Social Responsibility

• • West Middle gave project presentation to West Star Aviation and Alpine Bank to obtain funding to design, bid for professional services to build solar powered phone charging stations around campus for three hundred students. Funding was granted.